Papers by Keyword: Life Cycle Analysis

Abstract: There has been a lot of interest in the sustainability aspects of 3D Printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing, due to its potential for resource conservation, localized production, and optimized and adaptive designs. However, quantifying these sustainability advantages has proven to be a challenging task. Several tools have been developed to address this endeavor, and this article provides an overview of some of these tools, focusing on their application in the Manufacturing and Building & Construction sectors. The most widely adopted studies are Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), which help us understand the environmental impact through all stages of a product’s life, and are key to identifying best practices and opportunities for innovation. By exploring the sustainability dimensions of 3D printing through the lens of life cycle analysis, this article aims to shed light on the crucial role that LCAs play in assessing the environmental implications of 3D printing practices. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of leveraging this knowledge to drive sustainable practices, improve the efficiency of the 3D printing industry, and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Abstract: The life cycle analysis (LCA) is a methodology that allows us to contemplate the environmental impact of a material during the different stages of the life cycle. The impact categories were used to measure the repercussions caused to the planet due to the high demand generated by construction materials. This study addressed the stages of a life cycle analysis, according to the ISO 14044 [1] standard, with the aim of evaluating, quantifying and comparing the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture of mortar with similar mechanical behavior: A conventional mortar and a geopolymeric mortar, the latter developed from a geopolymerization process of waste from the Peruvian mining industry [2,3]. The scope of the work sought to evaluate the main environmental impacts of both mortars, focusing on a "cradle to door" life cycle analysis. The application of LCA allowed optimizing the manufacturing process, reducing adverse environmental impacts. The results showed that the environmental impacts of the geopolymeric mortar presented better performance in the medium impact categories: Environmental impact and water consumption. On the other hand, the conventional mortar presented better performance in the stratospheric ozone depletion impact category.

Abstract: In Malaysia, food waste had become a significant problem. These recyclable natural waste resources are channeled towards the production of value-added products e.g. hydroxyapatite; which can be used as photo catalyst and many other applications. This study synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAP; Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) powder from food waste using wet precipitation method. FTIR analysis was done on the synthesized hydroxyapatite powder, calcined samples and raw materials for each resource to study the functional group and the changes of composition in each sample. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) study done in this paper comprises of goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment as well as interpretation of data. Based on the results obtained, FTIR analysis shows that the synthesized powder is indeed hydroxyapatite based on the presence of important feature such as CO₃^2- and PO₄^3- and OH group and egg shell is proven to be the eco-friendliest resource as the production process contributed only 1% to environmental impact.

Abstract: Developed and crafted in Madagascar, the Raseta pump is a novel hydraulic ram (hydram) pump using a springs system. It operates differently from other pumps by the exclusive use of water energy due to the water hammer phenomenon induced by the sudden stop of the water flow. The present study initiates the investigation of the environmental impacts of this new type of hydram pump through a life cycle analysis using OpenLCA 1.8. It was found that, when operating in a small-scale water pumping system, the choice of the pump supply pipe material has small differences of environmental impacts, whether the material is made of steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Moreover, compared to a solar pump for the same pumping flow rate, the use of the Raseta pump is more environmentally friendly and less harmful to human health. However, the actual advantageous utilization of such a system needs further studies such as social and techno-economic analysis.

Abstract: For the manufacturing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), more precisely for the curing phase, alternative process technologies are available. These technologies use different types of facilities and forming tools as well as different mechanisms for the heat input and the load application. Thus, the required amount of energy, the needed source materials and the ancillary input of the machines vary widely. Since the resource efficiency of production processes gains in importance, considerations of the inputs, outputs and the ecological impact of CFRP manufacturing processes are essential. In this work, three CFRP manufacturing processes were comparatively investigated with a gate-to-gate analysis following ISO 14044 to reveal the appropriate CO₂-emissions and the global warming potential. The curing processes in a vacuum-oven process, a wet pressing process and a prepreg-autoclave process were considered. As a functional unit, an endless reinforced thermosetting CFRP-container served. During the inventory analysis phase all elementary and energy flows of the several process steps of the mentioned technologies were documented. The subsequent impact assessment shows, that for the single piece production in oven and press, the mold exerts the greatest influence on to the global warming potential with a share over 94 %. However, in the autoclave the process energy has the greatest share with over 46 %.

Abstract: In the context of increasing concerns for sustainable development new comprehensive methods are developed by builders and architects in order to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is one of these methods, perhaps the most functional one for the evaluation process. Using this LCCA contributes to the integration of the design process and helps identify opportunities for energy efficiency, such as appropriate zoning, natural lighting and design optimization of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). It also helps in finding the best solutions for reducing overall costs. LCCA is very little known in Romania and quasi unused practice for building design and for this reason the present paper contains a broad overview of the methodology and it’s uses highlighting its main advantages and a case study of the building design intended for laboratory research. The analyzed building is one of the 12 identical buildings of Transilvania University Research and Development Institute from Brasov.

Abstract: Sustainable building management is a complex problem which needs effective, adequate and suitable assessment tools and methods to address issues of incommensurability and complexity, always considering the prevailing environmental policies and legislation. Within the frame of this paper, green certifications building schemes have been described, compared to each other and evaluated, against the background of the standards provided by the International Organization for Standardization. Emphasis have been placed on information referring to construction materials environmental evaluation based on the Life Cycle Analysis methodology and the role of construction materials selection to green building certification schemes. Finally, the impact of green certification schemes on the construction market, mainly as a tool of energy management, has also been examined in relation to the absence of mandatory international standardization in sustainable building management.

Abstract: The carbon emission and energy consumption of using slag as a secondary raw material in cement production was quantified and analyzed in this study. Moreover, the carbon emission reduction and energy saving potential of slag-based cement (SBC) production were identified based on the comparative analysis between SBC and traditional Portland cement (TPC). The results showed that the carbon emission of SBC is about 6.73%, which was lower than that of TPC. Compared with TPC, the energy consumption of SBC is slightly increased by 2.05%. In addition, it was found that the combustion of coal and the power generation were the main sources for carbon emission in the life cycle of slag utilization, which account for 83.39% and 10.16% of the total carbon emission. Therefore, reducing the consumption of energy and increasing the recovery rate of waste heat in cement production were the most effective methods to improve the environmental performance of SBC. In addition, the improvement potential analysis was carried out for SBC. The results indicated that if the recovery rate of waste heat could reach to that of the international advanced level (15.6%), the carbon emission and energy consumption of SBC would be reduced by about 2.20% and 5.71%, respectively. If the proportion of renewable energy utilizationin power generation increased to that of the average international level, the carbon emission and energy consumption of SBC would be declined by 5.26% and 9.35% respectively.

Abstract: More than two third share of electricity come from coal fired power plants in India. Coal fired power plants are the largest source of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions per unit of electricity generation among all fossil fuel based power plants. There has been climate change and global warming globally due to increasing anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) into the atmosphere. This paper examines life cycle GHG emission such as CH₄, CO₂ and N₂O of a National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited power plant using life cycle approach. The various stages involved in the assessment of life cycle GHG emissions in the present study include coal mining, transportation of coal to the power plant and coal combustion for electricity generation. The results show that direct CO₂ emission from coal combustion is about 890 g CO₂-e/kWh, whereas life cycle GHG emissions amount to 929.1 g CO₂-e/kWh. Indirect GHG emissions add up to 4.2% of total emissions. Coal mine methane leakage into atmosphere in India is low since more than 90% of the coal mining is surface mining.

Abstract: This paper presents a simplified life cycle analysis case study of a new developed automotive parking brake lever using polymer composites. Two composite materials were analysed for the component construction, namely glass fiber/polypropylene composites and hybrid kenaf/glass fiber/polypropylene composites. The rule of mixture and hybrid rule of mixture composite’s micromechanical models were utilized to determine the functional unit in the life cycle analysis. Later, the life cycle inventory data were defined for the production, use and end-of-life stages for the component. The Eco-indicator 99 method was selected for the overall LCA process. The final life cycle analysis results show that parking brake lever using the hybrid kenaf/glass fiber/polypropylene composites scores better environmental impact when compared to the similar component using glass fiber composites. This proved that the introduction of kenaf natural fiber, as the alternative reinforcement material in the polymer composites construction, is able to reduce the environmental impact throughout the product life cycle towards achieving better sustainable performance of the product.